Buhari, Military Has Earned Us Global Accolades, Nigerians In America React To President’s Visit – By Desita Itodo

As reactions continue to trail President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the United States of America, during which he signed several agreements, the New York Chapter of Nigerian Community in America has hailed the visit saying the President and the military have earned the country global accolades.

An electronic statement signed by Pasca Onmonya, District President of Nigerian Community in America, New York Chapter, expressed pride in President Buhari being the first African leader to be officially invited to the Trump White House and that this was further cemented by President of the United States acknowledging him as the number one African president.

The statement said “The Nigerian Community in America is elated that Mr. President got his agenda for the visit right with the focus on the economy, security and anti-corruption.

It expressed hope that naysayers back at home will now begin to honour their own prophet at home now that they have failed to disgrace him in the US where the credibility of Nigeria matters most.

The group explained that “We had heard that groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had perfected plans to storm the White House in their quest to internationally embarrass President Buhari but we are glad that members of the designated terror group now realize that the court ruling that declared them as terrorists is respected even in the United States.

“The Nigerian Community in America particularly commend the Nigerian military for taming the Boko Haram insurgency within the rules of engagements and total respect for the rights of the civilian population in the country. Other groups that had thought they could take over from Boko Haram have also been curtailed to the joy of Nigerians.

“President Buhari and the Nigerian Army’s assurances on these deserves more than accolades, we make bold to add our credibility as proud citizens of the strongest nation in Africa.

“In the aftermath of President Buhari’s successful visit to the US, we expect that the sensible ones among these terrorists would unconditionally repent, renounce their membership of separatists and extremist groups and hand themselves over to authorities for rehabilitation so that their disgraceful outing will not lead to suicidal depression for them.

“We urge the military to draw from the vote of confidence implied in the commendations from President Trump to redouble their efforts at ending terrorism and insurgency in the country. The Armed Forces must now realize that the blackmail by persons and organizations invoking the International Criminal court to render troops ineffective is nothing but bluffing. President Trump, who does not believe in destructive political correctness, would expect that the military is able to deliver even better result with the military support his country has promised.

“Our troops must now go after terrorists and their sponsors alike now that the US has proven it will not be a hiding place for such dangerous people,” the statement said.

The group appealed to President Buhari to direct his relevant appointees and agencies to closely follow up on the economic components of the agreements with the US so that Nigeria can grow its employment potential through viable economic activities that will ensure that people no longer use unemployment as excuse for taking up arms against the state.

It also wants the anti-corruption crusade to intensify so that more of the country’s stolen funds can be recovered.

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Pasca Onmonya

District President of Nigerian Community in America (New York Chapter)